People

All of our staff, trustees and volunteers are CRB cleared.

Staff

Jim Hidderley (General Manager)

In January 2016 I took over as manager of the Wildgoose Centre from Noelle Wilson the founder and visionary behind everything that Wildgoose Rural Training does. I have many years’ experience working in the Land Based sector and with people who learn in a different way to the rest of us. My passion is to see the immense value of rural life once again playing a part in the success of our society. The skills and therapy that can be gained from working in the fresh air with plants and animals is so valuable and yet very underestimated. I hope to carry forward the vision of our founder to continue making a significant difference to many lives.

Christine Longden (Assistant General Manager)

Christine has many years of experience in education and in Agriculture, she has a broad range of skills built up over several years. She is skilled at bringing the best out in people and helping them to experience new things that will challenge and stretch them. In her role as Assistant Manager Christine has worked closely with many local stake holding agencies to promote the excellent reputation of Wildgoose Rural Training.

Roger Bates (Tutor & Conservation Manager)

Roger is the longest serving member of the Wildgoose team, he is very skilled in horticulture, wildlife and conservation. He is one of our Permaculture specialists, his calm and reassuring approach to our students helps them to feel safe and secure even when they are being challenged to try out new skills.

Rebecca Martin (Wolverley Centre Manager)

Rebecca (Bex) is a skilled tutor and manager, she has taught for a long time in the Land Based sector including Pershore College and Moreton Morrell College. She manages our centre based at Wolverley High School near Kidderminster where students can learn to care for animals of all shapes and sizes, the centre teaches students up to Level 3 standard.

Andy Swatton (Tutor and Schools Liason)

Andy is a country lad through and through, he has spent many years working with young people to help them find their potential, he is also a qualified football coach and skilled general builder. Andy runs a group of students who restore furniture and make wooden items, he has a firm but fair approach that helps students feel secure.

Sam Wingfield (Senior Tutor)

Sam is a skilled horticultural tutor and has many years of experience, she is also a Permaculture specialist who has a passion to see the potential of people unlocked. She also runs our Workstream groups and takes students out to work in gardens and complete landscaping tasks in the process earning a small amount of money and helping them experience the world of employment.

Hollie Burfitt-Delord (Tutor)

Hollie is a vibrant tutor who has the ability to encourage people of all ages and abilities to try new things or hone their existing skills. Hollie originally came to Wildgoose as a support worker with on of our students and she impressed us so much that we asked her to consider working for Wildgoose. This has proved to be a great decision as Hollie is now a key member of staff and loved by our students.

Bonnie Davidson (Tutor & Student Support)

Bonnie is one of those people who can just reach the parts that others cannot reach. She sees the best in everyone and helps them to develop new skills. She has many years’ experience of working in Land Based subjects with students who are hard to reach, her gentle and patient approach helps even the most unsure of students feel like they can achieve anything.

Trustees

Mark Davies - Chairperson

Mark is a Director of MCD Project Management providing services in business consulting, project management and interim services in the commercial, public and third sector. During his career he has acquired a wide range of experience in business development, change management, funding and business continuity planning.

Mark worked extensively in the commercial equipment and plant hire sector before starting and running his own successful hire business for 10 years. The business was eventually acquired by Jewson Plc part of the Saint-Gobain Group. Mark continued his career as a Divisional Director with Jewson before moving to the Speedy Hire Group.

Following a move to the Chamber of Commerce and Business Link Mark has held senior positions in the business support and public sector environment. Roles have included Head of Marketing for Shropshire and more recently as Sector Development Director for Business Link covering the West Midlands.

Mark particular enjoys working in the third sector and is currently Vice Chairman of Halo Leisure Services a registered charity now employing over 1000 people and is a Trustee of Newman University College in Birmingham where he is Vice Chair of the Finance & General Purposes Committee. Marks other interests include clay sculpting, playing badminton and he is an avid theatre goer.

Jan Jays

I have recently retired as an Area Manager of Behaviour Support at Worcestershire County Council. Part of my responsibility has been managing teams of teachers and the education of pupils that have been excluded from school. I am the mother of two daughters and a grandmother. I love gardening and the outdoors, and am keen to support the work of Wildgoose Rural Training Centre.

Jerry Tudge - Company Secretary

A retired building surveyor who enjoys a variety of interests including voluntary work within the local community, conservation of the countryside and working with disadvantaged youngsters and adults.